June Newsletter Special Education 'hands' image Brentwood 'B' logo 2017 SPECIAL HAPPENINGS In This Issue Director of Special Services Receives Recognition Award Fifth Grader Receives Attorney General’s Triple “C” Award Raising Funds for Autism Awareness EIP and UPK Graduation Multicultural Night Freshman Center Trip Say Yes to The Dress Guest Reader Day Suffolk County Farm Visit DNA Learning Center Speech and Hearing Awareness Month SEPTA Hello and welcome to the first issue of Special Happenings! Here, you will see just some of the many great things going on in Special Education. Receiving Recognition Kim Fauci photo On June 5, 2017, Ms. Kimberly Fauci, Director of Special Services, received an award from the Brentwood School District in recognition of her commitment toward advocacy for children and outstanding leadership. Lyanah Haynes photo The Attorney General’s Triple “C” Award Ms. Suzana Perez’s fifth grade student, Iyanah Haynes, received the Attorney General’s 2017 Triple “C” award on graduation day! The Attorney General's Triple “C” Award recognizes the Courage, Character and Commitment of New York State's outstanding students. Iyanah is hearing impaired and has overcome many challenges. All of us at South West Elementary are very proud of her achievement. Way to go Iyanah! Autism Awareness graphic Ms. Rottmund's students photo Over $300.00 Raised for Autism Awareness This past April, Ms. Courtney Rottmund’s students created autism bracelets, pins, and magnets to sell throughout our building during their lunch period. Students raised over $300 for Autism Awareness Month and donated the money to a local charity in East Islip, called the EJ Autism Foundation. The founder of this charity, Ms. Bea Huste-Petersen was so touched by our donation that she paid a special visit to our school and thanked the staff and class in person. Ms. Felicia Thomas-Williams, principal of West Middle School, and Ms. Jill Wolynetz, president of SEPTA joined us on this special day. Congratulations EIP and UPK poster image EIP and UPK Graduation Ceremony Graduation was held at East Elementary School on Friday, June 9th. The excitement began when kindergarten students lined the hallways to congratulate the graduates with high fives and music. Families and friends were on hand to watch the ceremony. East Elementary Students photo Outdoor ceremony Flags Banner image Multicultural Night at North Middle School family fun night poster image Ms. Ring’s and Ms. Amarando’s students helped to prepare for the biggest family fun night at North Middle School. Students and their families had the opportunity to travel around the world, taste authentic foods and experiences many cultures without having to pack a bag! Ms. Ring’s class transformed room 218 into a one of a kind Guatemalan experience. Ms. Amarando’s students created a tropical oasis of the Dominican Republic, where students participated in traditional dance and served delicious food. Ms. Ring's students photo k Food photo children around world image two students working on tropical oasis theme STEM logo Freshman Center Field Trip Promoting the knowledge and love of science. Ninth graders participated in a hands-on learning experience at the Long Island Science Center. The LISC’s exhibits are interactive and exciting with an emphasis on (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. A great time for all! Students hands on Student group at table Giel at project Student and staff participant group shot Girl in labcoat cartoon pink dress itllustration North Middle School Provided the Dress, and They Said “Yes!” Over 60 students participated in a unique shopping experience to select the perfect dress for the formal dance. Nearly 500 dresses were available to choose from! This was all possible with the help of our special education students. They were responsible for setting up furniture, sorting dresses according to size and style, decorating a two-room boutique, preparing a buffet area, organizing raffles and cleaning up. Girl working on outfit Girls at clothes rack Girls holding dresses Dresses on rack Helpers Wendy Martinez, Victoria Scott, Victoria Agosto, Jayden Williams and Jennifer Quintanilla prepare for the dress event. Guest Reader Day at Pine Park June 14th was Guest Reader Day at Pine Park Elementary. Mr. Weishahn came into Mrs. Staudt’s class to read Elmer by David McKee. Elmer is a is bright- colored patchwork elephant that looks completely different from his elephant friends. This comical fable about everyone’s favorite patchwork elephant teaches readers to be themselves and celebrates the power of laughter. Mrs. Staudt’s class loved the book and enjoyed having Mr. Weishahn as a guest reader. Each of the students made their own Elmer the elephant. A great keepsake to embrace individuality! 'Elmer' book cover Reading poster Guest Reader Mr. Weishahn Pigs on farm Suffolk County Farm Visits Pine Park Ms. Pisani’s first grade class learned about the variety of animals that reside at the Suffolk County Farm and the special role they play. Students learned many fun facts about the animals while getting a real hands-on experience by touching and feeding. Children with pigs Children with pigs Children with chicken DNA Helix illustration banner A visit to the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Lab little person in lab coat cartoon Ms. Lindsay’s North Middle School students had an amazing experience at the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Lab and Learning Center. They participated in two hands-on workshops to learn about DNA and how to extract and duplicate genes. They took part in a real-world mystery that only DNA information could prove or disprove theories. Lesson at table Two boys experimenting Better Hearing and Speech Month logo Key image Raising Awareness: Better Hearing & Speech Month Communication: “The Key to Connection” Each May, Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM) provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists have in providing services to students who are mandated for speech and hearing services as per their IEP. Staff behind students wearing masks Children wearing lettered 'speech' shirts cartoon Staff group shot Special Education Resources on blackboard image SEPTA Special Education Parent Teacher Association President: Ms. Jill Wolynetz Recording Secretary: Ms. Beth Law Treasurer: Ms. Rosanna Mendola • Contact Ms. Jill Wolynetz at Jill.Wolynetz@bufsd.org for information or questions. • New members will be able to join September 2017. Watch for our application in your child’s backpack. • Join our Facebook group “SEPTA of Brentwood” for parent information, meetings and events for the 2017-2018 school year. http://www.brentwood.k12.ny.us/HTMLpages/Parent_info/PTSA_Home.html#septa SEPTA Volunteers Needed graphic Volunteers Needed! Image result for brentwood public library Keep it cool at the Brentwood Public Library this summer! Be sure to check out this great community resourse. http://brentwoodnylibrary.org REading children cartoon wavy green graphic footer Have a Happy Summer graphic image